When word came two years ago that one of 14 descendant saplings of America’s last original colonial-era Liberty Tree was being awarded to Dalton, local officials wasted no time making sure residents realized the uniqueness of what they had, and they continued those efforts this year.
The second “Liberty Tree Festival” was held in spectacular fashion Oct. 14 to 17 and featured a full-size replica of the original Liberty Bell, a salute to America’s military heroes, a barbecue cook-off and sweet tea contest, live entertainment and, of course, a booming fireworks finale. This year also allowed festival-goers to hear speeches from gubernatorial candidates Roy Barnes and Nathan Deal, while schoolchildren got to see the replica of the Liberty Bell up close to assist with their study of the American Revolution.
Dalton City Council member Charlie Bethel, who spearheaded the event with officials from the Downtown Dalton Development Authority and the Dalton Convention and Visitors Bureau, is excited about the meaning behind the revelry.
“We want to share the message of liberty and recognize the freedoms of our founding,” he said.
Bethel said city officials hope to establish the Liberty Tree Festival as a regional event, much like the Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon and the Vidalia Onion Festival.
“We are trying to build with quality,” he said. “Our hope and expectation is that every year is bigger than the year before.”
For bringing home the ideals of liberty to the citizens of this area, The Daily Citizen names all those who worked on making the Liberty Tree Festival a reality Citizens of the Week.
